Artist: Nucleus Torn
Title: Golden Age
Genre: Folk Rock
Release Date: 2nd Decemberr 2011
Label: Prophecy Productions
Album Review
NUCLEUS TORN took a large risk to putting out a new album just barely after their previous effort in 2010, as well as a compilation of older works, but the result is well worth it. This is not Metal, per say, or even Rock really… it’s very laid back and full of Folk elements from bagpipes to flutes and just a very mystical feeling all around. The highlight of this effort is the vocals of the newly added Anna Murphy, who may be recognized from fellow Melodic Death Folk band ELUVEITIE. Alongside her is vocalist Patrick Schaad who lends even softer vocals to balance out the duality of the music, such as on the track ‘Silver’, which is a very jazzy, slow piece of Folk Rock chock full of acoustic guitar and piano, making it feel slightly like it came from the recent OPETH ‘Heritage’ album that came out earlier this year for 2011. Most of the instruments are performed by mastermind Fredy Schnyder, whose talent exceeds far than most would expect considering he performs about ten of the instruments heard on this album.
For the most part though fans will contend with Anna’s vocals on just very slow, dragging tracks like ‘Hunger’ which are mostly composed of guitar, percussion, and some cello, while she sings in a storytelling tone that helps heighten the feeling of Folk Rock. And suddenly some Middle Eastern elements can come in and give off more of a XANDRIA feeling, which helps NUCELUS TORN stand out even more as a multi dimensional band. There are a few epics here and there that make the album stand as a bit of a masterpiece on its own. The opening ‘Golden Age’ is the longest track, starting out slow like ‘Hunger’ but building up with the drums before quieting down again. The flute plays a very prominent role hear along with the bagpipes giving off a strong Irish feel to the music without the interference of electric guitar or any snarling, making it have a strong organic feel and a highly enjoyable epic that keeps its laid back flow entirely throughout the music. For those who find Folk Rock a bit boring, the final track ‘The Triumph’ is probably the heaviest thing fans will hear, and is the only track to feature any sort of growling in it with electric guitars.
The music is so different here that it doesn’t even feel like it should be a part of the album with how chaotic the pace is with distortion basically overtaking everything, but it is good to see NUCLEUS TORN willing to embrace the heavier side of Folk Metal/ Rock also, even though as the song winds down with its lengthy chords that sounds like crashing waves, it feels more like Doom Metal than anything else. Ultimately, whether a fan of growls or clean singing, the musical talent spread throughout ‘Golden Age’ may stand as the band’s finest album. It may not be as directly conceptual as ‘Andromeda Awaiting,’ but it still carries its own weight by not being so predictable with a long track, short instrumental, long track, and then another short instrumental. Folk Metal fans and even Gothic Metal fans who like to see upcoming female vocalists show off their pipes will certainly be pleased with this.
Tracklist
01. Golden Age - 12:01
02. Hunger - 4:52
03. Silver - 5:30
04. Against - 7:26
05. Ash - 7:06
06. Death Triumpant - 11:54
Line-up
Rebecca Hagmann- Cello
Christoph Steiner- Drums, Percussion
Anouk Hiedl- Flute
Christine Schüpbach-Käser- Violin
Maria D'Alessandro- Vocals
Patrick Schaad- Vocals
Fredy Schnyder- Bagpipes, Guitars, Piano, other Folk instruments...
Anna Murphy- Vocals
Website
http://www.nucleustorn.ch/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 10
Total: 9.5 / 10
